Donald Trump on Sunday directed his focus towards former female White House staffers who voiced concerns about his potential second term during an interview on ABC’s This Week. 

Cassidy Hutchinson, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Sarah Matthews shared apprehensions about the dangers they believe a second Trump presidency could pose to American democracy. 

Trump, in response, took to Truth Social, his social media platform, sharing screenshots of old tweets and excerpts where Griffin and Matthews had previously defended or praised him.

While Trump attempts to portray these posts as revealing contradictions, it is noteworthy that many of them predate the events of January 6 and Trump’s claims of election theft. 

Griffin, the former White House communications director who issued a dire warning about the potential consequences of a second Trump term, emphasised that Trump had gone to “historic and unconstitutional lengths” to secure power.

Matthews, who served as a White House deputy press secretary and Trump campaign spokesperson, echoed concerns about Trump’s persistent claims of election fraud and highlighted his increasingly erratic behaviour. 

Hutchinson, an assistant to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, emphasised the need to focus on preventing Trump’s re-election, expressing determination despite facing threats after her Jan. 6 committee testimony.

The women collectively underscored their commitment to preventing Trump from returning to the presidency, with Matthews expressing a willingness to prioritise democracy over party lines in the next election.

Addressing Trump’s claim of acting as a “dictator” in a second term, Hutchinson characterised it as a sign of his weakness and feebleness. The interview and subsequent social media engagement highlight the ongoing tensions between Trump and former staffers who have become vocal critics.